What Erik Spoelstra ‘hopes’ to see from Nikola Jovic in the middle of the crisis

MIAMI – With The Miami Heat (14-11) are on a four-game skid ahead of Monday’s game against the Toronto Raptors, one player the team is hoping to get more of is Nikola Jovic. While it could be a the narrative around Jović and the heat and what led to his current downfall, the head coach Erik Spoelstra talks about what he wants to see from the 22-year-old.

Jovic’s playing time has been tight lately, and Spoelstra didn’t play with Jovic in Miami’s NBA Cup quarterfinal loss to the Orlando Magic, only to last 31 minutes against the Sacramento Kings on Dec. 6 in the loss. In the two games prior to the Kings loss, he totaled seven minutes in both contests, putting his current role in the Heat’s rotation into perspective.

Not that he hasn’t been through this before, recording six consecutive Did Not Plays (or DNFs), but he ended up playing and logging double-digit minutes in the final 32 games of last season. Averaging 7.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 39 percent from the field and 28.3 percent from three-point range, Spoelstra expressed to ClutchPoints what he ‘hopes’ to see from Jović.

“He’s been good the last three weeks, he’s made some progress in focusing on what he can control, and that’s his work, that’s his approach, consistency every day,” Spoelstra said. “Every player gets their chance at some point, and then you have to use it in the best way, ideally where you progressed, ideally where you influence the scoreboard. And I want our guys to make me make decisions. And that’s what I hope (Jovic), that because of his game I have to play more with him.”

Asked Erik Spoelstra about the fall of Nikola Jovic and how he foresees the opportunity. Finally, I would ask if this is the typical life of a young NBA player.

“Yeah, he’s been good for the last three weeks. He’s made some progress in focusing on what he can control . . .” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/kc7P6eOC7P

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) December 15, 2025

Despite the uneven role on the team, Miami defends as a captain Bam Adebayo pushed for a turnaround.

“What you can always admire is that (Jovic) wants to win. He wants to play the right way. He wants to figure out how to affect the win. And you can build on that,” Adebayo told ClutchPoints after Friday’s practice.

Heat Nikola Jovic frustrated with his own game

There is no doubt that the young striker was The Heat gave Jovic a $62.4 million contract extension in October, showing the team’s confidence in the 27th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. With his statistical regression and his current role on the team uncertain, Spoelstra still believed Jovic was getting an opportunity, and while he was patient, there was no denying it. he was frustrated with his game.

“I feel that people are talking about you, how they believe in you and so on,” Jovic told the Miami Herald. “I felt great last season when I was playing before I got hurt. But the same thing happened last year. You go out so fast. Even last year I was starting and then out of nowhere I’m not playing at all.”

“It’s really sad how my minutes are falling,” continued Jović. “I don’t try to think about what they think because I know it’s hard for them too.”

As Jovic looks to turn himself around this season, it could be that he’s just going through the typical life of a young basketball player, but it could also be that he wants to fully adapt to Miami’s new fast-paced offense. Trying to once again play a key role in Spoelstra’s rotation, he has confidence in his value.

I know they made the right decision,” Jovic said. “If they want to pay me, and not play me, I have nothing against it. I did everything I could to get here. I know how valuable I am. So it’s really simple.”

Either way, Jovic and the Heat look to snap a four-game losing streak Monday against the Raptors, and after that, the team embarks on a three-game road trip that begins Thursday against the Brooklyn Nets.